Although said jokingly, it raises concerns about how the World Cup will transcend the cultural divide in a country with anti-homosexuality laws and a strict alcohol policy because of the Islamic religion.

“In football [soccer], we have no boundaries,” Blatter said at a press conference. “There should be no discrimination against any human beings.”

I, for one, am hoping that in the next twelve years, we will be able to see the easing or even the complete dismantlement of anti-gay laws in Qatar and other countries in the region. Blatter is optimistic about the choice of host country, in spite of the law.

“You may be ensured that any people we produce until 2022, and if they want to watch a match somewhere… I’m sure they will be admitted to such matches,” Blatter later said.